Automatic chemical fire-extinguishing apparatus.



v J. B. HAMILTON. AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED Aue.4. 1915.

, htenwd Apr. 30,1918.

w ATTOR/VEV JOHN R. HAMILTON, 0F YONKI ERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0SYPHU-CHJEMICAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK, A.CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL FIRE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

aeaeea Patented Apr. 3d, 191%.

Application filed August t, 1915. Serial No. 43,535.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Yonkers, county of Westchester,.State of New York, have madea certain new and useful Invention Relating to Automatic ChemicalFire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification,taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms part ofthe same.

This invention relates especially to .auto matic chemical fireextinguishing apparatus in which a supplemental supply of extinguishingliquid is connected to the distributing system and comprises a chemicalmixa ing tank which may be operated through a suction actuating pipe 'orconnection with the upper part of the distributing system. Under somecircumstances in order to secure more reliable results a suction cut-0Hvalve or device is interposed in this suction pipe so as toautomatically close it when the system comes into emergency operationandthe usual high emergency pressure of 50 to 100 pounds or so persquare inch is developed in the mixing tank and system. The pin hole orother small equalizing or venting passages which are provided in thevarious parts of the system including acid chambers may also beautomatically closed under emergency conditions by suitable pressureresponsive devices or valves.

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way anillustrativeembodiment of this invention,

Figure .1 is a sectional elevation; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section showing the suction cut-ofi device.

The distri-butin system may be of any suitable constructlon and maycomprisea supply pipe or riser 3 and connected distributing lines 5supplying the distributing devices such as the automatic sprinkler heads-.7 arranged at various points around the building to be protected. Anysuitable extinguishing liquid 33 may be normally contained in thedistributing system and may be supplied thereto under the desiredmoderate initial head or pressure by the use of an elevated priming .oractuating tank 32 extending the desired distance above the upper part ofpreferably provided in some cases with a be mounted in the casing so thedistributing system and pin hole or other small vent 41. A supplementalsupply of extinguishing liquid is connected to the distributing systemin any suitable way and may comprise the chemical mixing tank 1containing a charge of carbonate extinguishing liquid 8, for instance,the supply connection 2 communicating with the supply pipe 3 or otherpart of the distributing system and extending into the mixing tankadjacent the bottom thereof and extinguishing liquid 33 may be retainedin the elevated distributing system as by the check valve 74 in thesupply pipe 3 as usual in this art, so that when the cooperatingchemical mixing devices come into action the desired high emergencypressure of 50 to 100 pounds or so per square inch is developed throughchemical action in the tank so as to give a forcible discharge from thedistributing devices in operation.

The chemical mixing devices may, if desired comprise a suitable casing4L mounted on themixing tank and containing one or more cooperatingcharges of sulfuric acid or other chemical adapted to react with theliquid in the mixing tank. For example, a primary chemical or acidchamber 13 may as to contain a primary charge 14 of sulfuric acid orother suitable chemical which may be withdrawn therefrom by the actionof the starting siphon 11, the short leg 12 of which dips into the acidin this primary chamber, while its longer discharge leg 16 communicateswith the charge 22 of similar acid in the automatically'dischargingreceiver 21. Under emergency conditions the discharge of liquid from thedistributing system causes a considerable suction impulse or pressurereduction in the upper part of the distributing system which is allowedto act on the start ing siphon through a suitable suction actu atingpipe or connection 9, 10, so that acid is drawn up into both of theprimed ends of the siphon and it begins to operate, quickly dischargingthe primary acid charge into the receiver 21 from which it is dischargedby the automatic discharging siphon which may be provided therein andcomprises a discharge leg 19 and a cooperating bell receiving member 18drawing the liquid into the annular passage at the lower end 20 of thismember. In this way substantially the entire acid charges 14, 22 aredischarged into the mixing tank and are of such amount as to developtherein the desired initial emergency pressure which may be subsequentlymaintained by any desired chemical devices, for example, the automatic.pressure maintaining siphon device indicated in Fig. 1. This maycomprise a supplemental acid or chemical chamber 23 containing a charge24 of sulfuric acid or other chemical in its lower portion, a siphon ordischarge device. of any suitable type cooperating with this chamber soas to discharge acid therefrom, preferably when there is a decrease inthe emergency pressure on the device. The discharge pipe 26 may thus bearranged to communicate with the mixing tank and a siphon bell 25 mayinclose its upper end so that when the upper part of this chamber istightly closed after the emergency pressure has been developed in theapparatus any decrease in this pres sure forces part of the acid chargeinto the inlet end 27 of the discharging devices so as to deliver theacid into the mixing tank in such amounts as will develop sufiicientadditional pressure to stop this automatic feeding action.

For some purposes it is desirable to have the suction connectionautomatically closed under emergency conditions, which for example,prevents any possibility of acid being forced up this suction connectionor pipe by the emergency pressure on the apparatus, and for this purposea suitable suction cut-off device or valve 6 may be installed at anyconvenient point in the suction connection preferably adjacent thepriming tank 32. As shown in detail in Fig. 2 this device may comprise asuitable valve seat, such as 54, mounted for instance in a neck 55formed on one of the connections preferably communicating with the upperpart 9 of the suction pipe and a pressure responsive control member ordiaphragm 58 is mounted so as to force a suitable valve down in closedposition against this seat when the emergency pressure is exerted onthis diaphragm. The diaphragm may, for instance, be held tightly againstthe casing by a suitable cover 59 secured thereto and a spring, such as60, may normally tend to keep this diaphragm in full line positionindicated in which it holds the cut-off valve open. A vent opening maybe made in the cover so that this outer side of the diaphragm, isexposed to atmospheric pressure and a suitable bushing 62 may beinterposed to restrict this vent opening so that in case of leakage orbreakage of the diaphragm there is no possibility of an undesirablylarge escape in this way. The valve may be connected to this diaphragmin any convenient or suitable way as by the yoke 50 which may have itsenlarged end 56 bolted or otherwise secured to the diaphragm as by thenut 57 and the valve body 49 formed on the other end of this yoke insuch position as to cotiperatc with the valve seat 54 may be arranged tosupport a suitable yielding valve 51 of rubber, lead or other suitablematerial to insure the tight closure of the valve seat. This valve maybe held in position as by the screwed washer 64 so as to securely holdthis renewable or replaceable valve in position.

Under emergency conditions, therefore, the high emergency pressurechemically developed in the mixing tank and connected system after theinitial suction impulse has caused the mixture of the starting chargesof acid or other chemical forces the pressure responsive controldiaphragm outward against its spring 60, tlllls quickly forcing thevalve 51 tightly against the valve seat 54 and effectually closing thissuction connection and positively preventing any substantial dischargeof acid therethrough. It is also desirable in some cases to have asuitable indicator connected with this cut-olt device so as to visuallyor otherwise indicate its operation and for this purpose the indicatoror rod 61 may be connected to the diaphragm in any suitable way and mayproject through the vent opening so as to be visible beyond the bushingwhen this device is in emergency action. It is'also for some purposesdesirable to vent the suction pipe and connected parts by a suitableventing passage in the cut-off device in addition to or preferablyinstead of the vent 41 at the top of the distributing system and thevent 17 in the starting siphon and to automatically close this passagewhen the system comes into emergency action. For this purpose a suitablepin-hole or other small equalizing venting passage 63 may be provided inthe cut-off casing 6 preferably in a special bushing 47 screwed into thesame and this vent passage may be automatically closed on the emergencyaction of the pressure responsive control diaphragm as by connecting asuitable vent valve thereto, preferably through a yielding connection soas to insure the positive closure of this vent valve when the maincut-off "alve 51 is closed. For this purpose the vent valve 45 may bearranged to close this vent passage 63 and may be yieldably connected tothe control diaphra m as by interp'osing a yielding connection hetweenthis vent valve and the valve body 49. For this purpose a collar 52 maybe formed on the stem 46 of the vent valve and normally engaged andpressed inward by a suitable light vent spring 53 which may be held inoperating position by a cap 48 screwed on the valve body 49. Under theseconditions when the control diaphragm operates to close the main cut-offvalve 51 against its valve seat 54 the menses vent valve 45issimultaneously drawn toward its cooperating seat closin the equalizingor vent passage 63 and t e yielding vent spring insures the closure ofboth these valves regardless of any slight inaccuracies or lack ofalinement .of ,7 the parts. The yielding connection may be constructedand assembled in any desired we and then placed in position through t eaipertuzre formed in the casing when the bushing 49 isv unscrewed andfor some purposes it is also desirable to have a protecting vent cover43 arranged around this vent valve for protection against injurythereto, for example, the cover being provided with one or more suitablevent holes, such as 44.

For some purposes it is desirable to form a suitable vent in the acidchambers or casing, such, for instance, as the supplemental chamber vent28 and the vent 38 formed for instance in the cover 39 of the casing.Under emergency conditions it is for some reasons desirable to havethese vent apertures quickly closed and this may be accomplished by asuitable pressure responsive closing device, such, for example, as thechamber vent diaphragm 33mounted in the casing cover,

' for instance, and tightly held in position as newand what is desiredto Letters Patent is set forth in the appended thereon by the shield orcover 34 which may have a venting passage 42 formed therein.

'llhis chamber ventdiaphragm 33 may operate any suitable valves orclosing devices in order to close these vents under emergencyconditions. For example, the valve 29 may be arranged on a suitablelever 30 pivoted about the pin 32 in the casing cover so that this valvecooperates With-the vent 38 and tightly closes the same when the leveris drawn upward by the link 31 pivoted thereto and pivotally connected,for instance, with the bracket 40 on the diaphragm. This lever may alsoclose one or more other vents preferably through yieldingly mountedvalves, such as the valve 36, cooperating with the casing vent 38 andmov ably mounted in an aperture in the guiding portion 35 of this lever,a light spring 37 normally forcing this valve upward so. that underemergency conditions it yieldingly closes the cooperating vent.

This invention has been described in connection With'a number ofillustrative forms,

arrangements, materials, proportions, sizes and parts of the apparatus,to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to belimited, since what is claimed be secured by claims:

1. In chemical fire BXtlIlglllShHl apparatus, an automatlcally closingcut-0% device adapted to be connectedin a suction actuating connectionof such apparatus and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive controldiaphragm member and a connected easing into ing chemical mixing devicescut-0E valve adapted to automatically close said suction connection whenemergency pressure is developed in the chemical tank and casing, anindicatorconnected to the free side of said control member to beprojected through a restricted vent hole in said indicating positionunder emergency conditions, there being a small area vent passage insaid cut-ofi' casing and a cooperating vent valve yieldably connected tosaid cut-off valve to close said venting pas-, sage under emergencyconditions.

2, In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, an automatically. closingcut-ofl' device adapted to be connected in a suction actuatingconnection of such apparatus and comprising a casing, a pressureresponsive control member and a connected cut-off valve adapted toautomatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure isdeveloped in the chemical. tank and easing, an indicator connected tothe free end of said control member to be projected through a restrictedvent hole in said easing into indieating position under emergencyconditions, there being a vent passage in said cut-off casing and acoopelzating vent valve connected to said cut-ofi valve to close saidventing passage under emergency conditions.

3. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system, asupplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system andcomprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixingdevices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and saiddistributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-0E device insaid suction connection and comprising a casing and a pressureresponsive control diaphragm and a connected cut-ofi' valve adapted toautomatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure isdeveloped in said tank and easing, an indicator connected to saiddiaphragm to be projected from said easing into indicating position under emergency conditions. 7

4. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemnormally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticdistributing devices and a sup- 115 plemental supply of extinguishingliquid connected to said :system and comprising a chemical mixing tankand cooperatto discharge chemical into said mixing tank, a pneumatic 120suction actuating connection between said mixing devices and the upperportion of said distributing system, an automatically closing suctioncutofi" device in said suction connection adjacent said mixing devicesand 125 comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control diaphragm anda connected cut-off sure is developed in said tank and casing,

valve yieldably connected to said cut-ofi valve to close said ventingpassage under emergency conditions.

5. In chemical fire extinguishing -appara tus, a distributing systemnormally charged with extin uishing liquid and comprising automaticistributing devices and a supple mental supply of extinguishing liquidconnected to saidgsystem and comprising a chemical mixing tank andcooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into saidmixing tank, a pneumatic suction actuating connection between saidmixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, anautomatically closing suction cut-ofi' device in said suction connectionand comprising a casing, a pressure responsive control "diaphragm and aconnected cut-oil valve adapted to automaticallry close said suctionconnection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing,there being a vent passage in said cut-off casing and a cooperating ventvalve connected to said cut-ofl valve to close said venting passageunder emergency conditions.

6. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemnormally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticdistributing devices and a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquidconnected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tank andcooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into saidmixing tank, a pneumatic suction actuating connection between saidmixing devices and the upper portion of said distributing system, anautomatically closing suction cut-01f device in said suction connectionand comprising acasing, a pres sure responsive control diaphragm and aconnected cut-oif valve adapted to automatically' close said suctionconnection when emergency pressure is developed in said tank and casing.

7. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemnormally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributingdevices and a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected tosaid system and comprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperatingchemical mixing devices to discharge chemical into said mixing tank, apneumatic suction actuating connection between said mixing devices andthe upper portion of said distributing system, an automatically closingsuction cut-ofi' device in said suction connection adjacent said mixingdevices and comprising a cas ing, a pressure responsive controldiaphragm and a connected cut-ofi valve adapted to automatically closesaid suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in saidtank and casing and an indicator connected to the outer side of saiddiaphragm to be projected through an opening in said casing intoindicating position under emergency conditions, said opening beingrestricted to prevent excessive escape in case of failure of saiddiaphragm.

8. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemcomprising distributing devices and a supplemental supply ofextinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a chemicalmixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to dischargechemical into said mixing tank, an actuating suction connection betweensaid mixing devices and said distributing system, an automaticallyclosing suction cut-off device in said suction connection adjacent saidmixing devices and comprising a casing, a pressure responsive controldiaphragm and a connected cutoff valve adapted to automatically closesaid suction connection when emergency pressure is developed in saidtank and casing and an indicator connected to the outer side of saiddiaphragm to be projected through an opening in said casing intoindicating position under emergency conditions, said opening beingtrestricted to prevent excessive escape in case of failure of saiddiaphragm.

9. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemcomprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishingliquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tankand cooperating chemical mixing devices including a starting siphon todischarge chemical into said mixing tank and a suction connectionbetween said siphon and the upper portion of said distributing system,said mixing devices comprising substantially closed chambers havingventing apertures and pressure responsive automatic closing means toclose said venting apertures comrising a diaphragm adapted to be actedony the emergency pressure in said tank and having a yieldable connectionto close said venting apertures when the system comes into emergencyoperation.

10. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemcomprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishingliquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixin tank andcoiiperating chemical mixing devlces to discharge chemical into saidmlxing tank, said mixing devices comprising substantially closedchambers having venting apertures and pressure responsive automaticclosing means to close said venting apertures comprising a diaphragmadapted to be acted on by the. emergency pressure in said tank meaeeaand having-a yieldable connection to close said venting apertures whenthe system comes into emergency operation.

1 discharge chemical into said mlxing-tank,

said mixing devices comprising "substan- ,tially closed chambers havingventing apertures and pressure responsive automatic closing means toclose said venting apertures' comprising a diaphragm adapted'to be actedon by the emergency pressure in said tank to close said ventingapertures when the system comes into emergency operation.

12. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemcomprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishingliquid connected to said system and comprising a chemical mixing tankand cooperating chemical mixing devicesto discharge chemical into saidmixing tank, said mixing devices comprising a substantially closedchamber having a venting aperture and pressure responsive automaticclos- 0 ing means to close said venting aperture comprising a diaphragmadapted to be acted on by the emergency pressure in said tank to closesaid venting aperture when the system comes into emergency operation.

-13.'In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributin system, asupplemental supply of extinguis ing liquid connected to said system andcomprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixingdevices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and saiddistributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-ofi' device insaid suction connection and comprising a casing and a pressureresponsive control device and a connected cut-ofi' valve adapted toautomatically close said suction connection when emergency pressure isdeveloped in said tank and casing.

14. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system, asupplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system andcomprising a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixingdevices, a suction connection between said mixing devices and saiddistributing system, an automatically closing suction cut-0d device insaid suction connection to automatically close said suction connectionwhen emgggency pressure is developed in said tan 15. In chemical fireextinguishing appanection when emergency pressure is developed in saidtank.

aonn n. Harmon. Witnesses:

Y L. Duncan, Jnssm l8. l1 1 tilt lid

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